Yun-Hee Lim

General anesthesia versus monitored anesthetic care with dexmedetomidine for closed reduction of nasal bone fracture

Background Reduction of nasal bone fracture can be performed under general or local anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare general anesthesia (GA) and monitored anesthetic care (MAC) with dexmedetomidine based on intraoperative vital signs, comfort of patients, surgeons and nurses and the adverse effects after closed reduction of nasal bone fractures. Methods Sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II were divided into a GA group (n = 30) or MAC group (n = 30). Standard monitorings were applied. In the GA group, general anesthesia was carried out with propofol-sevoflurane-N2O. In the MAC group, dexmedetomidine and local anesthetics were administered for sedation and analgesia. Intraoperative vital signs, postoperative pain scores by visual analog scale and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were compared between the groups. Results Intraoperatively, systolic blood pressures were significantly higher, and heart rates were lower in the MAC group compared to the GA group. There were no differences between the groups in the patient, nurse and surgeons satisfaction, postoperative pain scores and incidence of PONV. Conclusions MAC with dexmedetomidine resulted in comparable satisfaction in the patients, nurses and surgeons compared to general anesthesia. The incidence of postoperative adverse effects and severity of postoperative pain were also similar between the two groups. Therefore, both anesthetic techniques can be used during the reduction of nasal bone fractures based on a patient%s preference and medical condition.

Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm after spine surgery in the patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome -A case report-

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a rare inherited disorder of the connective tissue that is characterized by hyperextensible skin, hypermobile joints and abnormalities of the cardiovascular system. A 15-year-old girl with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome underwent thoracolumbar surgery for deformity correction. After surgery, an abdominal aortic rupture occurred, and she complained of abdominal distension had an abdominal circumference of 80 cm. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm and a large hematoma at the retroperitoneum. She died of a massive hemorrhage during subsequent abdominal aortic surgery.

Effective dose of dexmedetomidine to induce adequate sedation in elderly patients under spinal anesthesia

Background During sedation with dexmedetomidine, a dose adjustment may be needed based on the invasiveness of the procedure, the patients general condition, and their age. We aim here to determine the effective dose (ED) of dexmedetomidine to induce an adequate depth of sedation in elderly patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. Methods In this study, 47 patients aged 65 years or older, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, undergoing spinal anesthesia were included. Patients were randomly allocated into group I, II, III, IV or V according to the dexmedetomidine loading dose of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 µg/kg, respectively. After spinal anesthesia, the assigned loading dose of dexmedetomidine was infused intravenously for 10 minutes, after which infusion was maintained at a rate of 0.3 µg/kg/h for the next 10 minutes in all groups. We assessed the depth of sedation with the Ramsay sedation scale every five minutes and measured vital signs and the oxygen saturation. The ED50 and ED95 of dexmedetomidine to obtain adequate sedation (Ramsay sedation score ≥ 3) upon the completion of the loading dose were calculated with logistic regression. Results The ED50 and ED95 of dexmedetomidine for adequate sedation were 0.29 µg/kg (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.14-0.44) and 0.86 µg/kg (95% CI 0.52-1.20), respectively. Hypotension was frequent in groups IV, V compared to groups I, II, III (31.6 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.013). Conclusions ED95 of dexmedetomidine loading dose for adequate sedation is 0.86 µg/kg. However, dose higher than 0.5 µg/kg can lead to hemodynamic instability.

Risk factors associated with outcomes of hip fracture surgery in elderly patients.

Background Hip fracture surgery on elderly patients is associated with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors related to the postoperative mortality and complications following hip fracture surgery on elderly patients. Methods In this retrospective study, the medical records of elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) who underwent hip fracture surgery from January 2011 to June 2014 were reviewed. A total of 464 patients were involved. Demographic data of the patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, preoperative comorbidities, type and duration of anesthesia and type of surgery were collected. Factors related to postoperative mortality and complications; as well as to intensive care unit admission were analyzed using logistic regression. Results The incidence of postoperative mortality, cardiovascular complications, respiratory complications and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were 1.7, 4.7, 19.6 and 7.1%, respectively. Postoperative mortality was associated with preoperative respiratory comorbidities, postoperative cardiovascular complications (P < 0.05). Postoperative cardiovascular complications were related to frequent intraoperative hypotension (P <0.05). Postoperative respiratory complications were related to age, preoperative renal failure, neurological comorbidities, and bedridden state (P < 0.05). ICU admission was associated with the time from injury to operation, preoperative neurological comorbidities and frequent intraoperative hypotension (P < 0.05). Conclusions Adequate treatment of respiratory comorbidities and prevention of cardiovascular complications might be the critical factors in reducing postoperative mortality in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Perioperative Management of a Patient with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by telangiectasias, frequent episodes of epistaxis, and multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). AVMs can develop in any organ and may lead to serious consequences such as embolic complications and high-output cardiac failure. The bleeding tendency of these patients should be considered during surgical procedures. In addition, although it is not common, HHT patients may also have a risk of venous thromboembolism. Here, we present the perioperative management of a man with the coexistence of HHT and deep vein thrombosis, conditions predisposing him both to a bleeding tendency and to thromboembolic risk as well.

Epidural anesthetic management of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - A case report -

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease of motor ganglia in the anterior horn of spinal cord and spinal pyramidal tracts. The impairments of respiratory function and weakened upper airway muscle affect anesthetic management. General anesthesia may cause respiratory problem. Regional anesthesia such as spinal and epidural anesthesia is also relative contraindication for patients with a motor neuron disease, including ALS, for the fear of exacerbating the disease. Therefore patients with ALS are needed careful management during perioperative period. We report a case of epidural anesthesia for transurethral ureteroscopic lithotripsy in a patient with ALS. The patient recovered from anesthesia without exacerbating the disease.

Subdural hemorrhage after scoliosis correction surgery - A case report -

An 11-year-old boy underwent thoracolumbar surgery to correct a deformity caused by congenital kyphoscoliosis from the 6th thoracic vertebra to the 2nd lumbar vertebra. During a screw insertion, some tore and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) leaked. After CSF leakage, the amplitude of the motor evoked potential in the left lower extremity was reduced by 90% compared to baseline value, but there was no nerve damage at the surgical site. His post-surgical mental status did not recover completely. Brain computed tomography revealed a subdural hemorrhage in the inter-hemispheric fissure, with both tentorium and right frontotemporooccipital and diffuse brain edema. On the 4th postoperative day, mental status recovered to near alertness, but upper motor strength was grade II, right lower motor strength was grade II and left lower motor strength was grade I. Right hemifacial palsy was also noted. At 2.5 months after surgery, right facial palsy remained, but motor function recovered to near normal levels with conservative care.